Research project Route planner for Dairy 2.0: a successful strategic decision support tool needs scaling up

General introduction

Routeplanner Melkvee is a powerful online tool that provides dairy farmers with economic support for changes in their business operations. The tool offers concrete guidance in making choices tailored to both business goals and the farmer's personal preferences. This includes all kinds of investments, ration adjustments, switching to organic, farm takeovers, and more. The tool also clearly visualizes the economic impact of measures under the Programmatic Approach to Nitrogen (PAS). In fact, virtually any change at the farm can be calculated.

Research approach

The tool was developed by project partners ILVO, Boerenbond, Inagro, and Hooibeekhoeve. Its strength lies in its consideration of interactions between various business processes, such as livestock movement, roughage production, labor, and manure disposal. Scenarios can be compared, results downloaded, and visualizations are possible, including those of farm results in response to changing market conditions, such as milk price fluctuations.

Relevance/Valorization

The Routeplanner Melkvee is freely available in Dutch at https://shiny.ilvo.be/LM/RouteplannerMelkvee2.0/. The tool has already been used on more than 200 dairy farms for decision support. Project partners Inagro and Boerenbond offer advice based on the tool through the Kennisportefeuille. Training courses are regularly organized to teach users how to use the tool. The Routeplanner Melkvee aligns with the Flemish policy document on Agriculture and Horticulture, which focuses on more data-driven, future-oriented, and economically sustainable agriculture.

Financing

Vlaamse Overheid - Agentschap Ondernemen
Milk@vice
United Experts - DLV
Zoetis SA
HBB vzw
BNP Paribas Fortis NV
Vlaams Agrarisch Centrum
Achten bvba - Liba